New Research Suggests Nuking Asteroids Could Be Viable Planetary Defense

Groundbreaking study reveals asteroids are more resilient than previously thought, potentially making nuclear deflection a last-resort option.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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A new study published in Nature Communications has upended the conventional wisdom about the strength and resilience of asteroids. Researchers from the University of Oxford and a nuclear deflection startup found that asteroids actually gain strength when subjected to intense impact, contrary to previous models that suggested they would crumble. This discovery dramatically alters our understanding of planetary defense and revives the possibility of using nuclear explosions as a last-ditch effort to deflect a city-killer asteroid.

Why it matters

For decades, the idea of using nuclear weapons to deflect an incoming asteroid has been relegated to disaster movies. However, this new research suggests that under the right circumstances, a precisely targeted nuclear detonation near an asteroid could be an effective way to nudge it off course and protect Earth, if other kinetic impact methods fail. This is a significant development in the field of planetary defense, as organizations like NASA and the Planetary Society continue to advocate for increased funding and preparedness against the low-probability but catastrophic threat of a major asteroid impact.

The details

The key finding from the study is that asteroids exhibit 'strain-rate dependent damping', meaning they become more effective at dissipating energy the harder they are hit. Previous models, based on limited data, had suggested these space rocks would crumble under significant stress. However, the researchers used advanced techniques like temperature sensors and laser Doppler vibrometry to observe a meteorite sample under extreme conditions in real-time, revealing this surprising resilience. The proposed nuclear deflection method involves a 'standoff' detonation near the asteroid, vaporizing a portion of its surface to create a propulsive force, rather than planting a bomb inside the asteroid as often depicted in movies. This approach minimizes the risk of fragmentation that could create a dangerous debris field.

  • The 2022 DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission demonstrated the feasibility of kinetic impact as a planetary defense technique.
  • The recent study was published in the scientific journal Nature Communications in February 2026.

The players

University of Oxford

A prestigious research university in the United Kingdom that contributed to the groundbreaking study on asteroid resilience.

Outer Solar System Company (OuSoCo)

A nuclear deflection startup that collaborated with the University of Oxford researchers on the study.

Karl-Georg Schlesinger

The co-founder of Outer Solar System Company (OuSoCo), who emphasized the critical need for accurate material data to execute a nuclear deflection mission with high confidence.

NASA

The U.S. space agency that is already exploring the potential of nuclear thermal propulsion for deep-space travel, which could also be adapted for asteroid deflection missions.

Planetary Society

An organization that is actively advocating for increased funding for asteroid detection and mitigation efforts.

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What they’re saying

“The world must be able to execute a nuclear deflection mission with high confidence, yet cannot conduct a real-world test in advance.”

— Karl-Georg Schlesinger, Co-founder, Outer Solar System Company (OuSoCo) (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Future research will analyze different asteroid compositions, such as carbonaceous chondrites and silicate asteroids, to understand how their unique structures respond to impact and potential nuclear deflection.

The takeaway

This groundbreaking research has the potential to revolutionize our approach to planetary defense, reviving the once-far-fetched idea of using nuclear explosions as a last-resort option to deflect a city-killer asteroid. By improving our understanding of asteroid resilience, scientists can now better evaluate the viability and risks of various deflection techniques, ultimately enhancing our ability to protect Earth from catastrophic impacts.